IPMO-Expert (IPMO-E®)

Course Description

The International Project Management Officer (IPMO)® certification is the leading industry-recognized certification series for project management officers and professionals working in, or associated with, PMO activities and related services.

Certified IPMO Experts demonstrate, through a combination of formal training, workshops, and competency assessments, a deep understanding of PMO principles, theory, and practices. This includes the design, implementation, and operation of complex PMO topologies and their respective PMO service topologies. The IPMO-E (Expert) certification is typically aimed at PMO directors and consultants and builds on the IPMO-F (Foundation) and IPMO-P (Practitioner) certifications.

The course covers topics in strategy formulation and execution, with a strong focus on frameworks, organizational design, PMO topologies, and PMO service topologies. Participants are encouraged to use their own organizational PMO environment as input for assessments, guided by AIPMO’s framework and techniques. This work is further developed in a full-day workshop where participants can design and optimize their organization’s strategic PMO topology and service topology. Throughout the course, content from AIPMO’s Body of Knowledge is covered, including volumes on PMO Principles, Portfolio, Program, and Project Principles, PPM/PMO Techniques and Tools, PMO Services and Capabilities, and PMO Standards, with references to additional works.

As a PMO Expert, you will be able to assess existing PMOs in the context of your organization, the project types they support, leadership styles, and PMO functions. You will also understand how PMOs can act as catalysts for knowledge-sharing units that seed and support innovation, while recognizing the risks associated with long-term PMO performance. The course equips you to identify why some PMOs underperform, the drivers for change, and how to improve both individual and collective PMO performance to maximize business value.

You will also gain the capability to design and implement an enterprise-wide PMO strategy based on PMO topology concepts tailored to your organizational environment. From this, you can develop PMO services and capabilities using the “Group PMO Services and Capabilities Catalog.” In addition, you will understand the content and purpose of key PMO deliverables, both at the group and individual PMO levels. Key templates and documents are provided during the course, enabling you to apply them immediately in your workplace and quickly establish a high-performing, enterprise-wide PMO organization.

Master Complex PMO Topologies

Hands-On Workshops & Real Insights

Drive Enterprise-Wide Strategy

Lead at the Highest Level

Key Takeaways

By the end of this course, you will have the expertise, tools, and confidence to operate at the highest level of PMO leadership. You will learn how to design enterprise-wide PMO strategies, optimize service topologies, and apply advanced frameworks to deliver maximum business value.

This program goes beyond theory, providing practical insights and techniques that you can apply immediately to transform your organization’s PMO landscape.

Apply the AIPMO Strategic Lifecycle Framework®

Master the AIPMO framework and learn how to design, evaluate, and manage enterprise-wide PMOs effectively.

Build Enterprise-Level PMO Strategies

Develop and implement tailored PMO strategies aligned with your organization’s goals and priorities.

Design PMO Topologies & Services

Work through your organization’s PMO challenges, create optimized topologies and service models, and receive expert feedback.

Understand PMO Roles & Networks

Learn how PMOs operate at different organizational levels and in single, networked, and enterprise-wide contexts.

Advance PMO Maturity

Gain deep insights into AIPMO’s principle-based PMO Maturity Model and apply it to one or multiple PMOs to drive performance.

Use Advanced Strategic Frameworks

Apply innovative approaches like “strategy under uncertainty” to tackle organizational challenges and improve PMO decision-making.

Master Leadership Competencies

Understand the required competencies for senior PMO leaders and their collaboration with project, program, and functional managers.

Improve Underperforming PMOs

Learn how to identify struggling PMOs, assess root causes, and implement strategies to elevate their performance and business contribution.

Who should attend?

PMO directors, PMO managers, and advanced PMO core team
Senior project/program management professionals
Senior consultants involved in projects and/or organizational change
Project/program/portfolio managers with expertise in PMOs

Prerequisites

PMO directors
PMO managers and advanced PMO Core team
Senior project/program management professionals
Senior consultants involved in projects and/or organizational change
Project/program/portfolio managers with expertise in PMOs

Exam

The online exam is run by AIPMO, and moderated by a proctor from AIPMO at the end of the course.
- Open book exam, 100 multiple choice questions
- Duration: 2 hours

The case study is a key component of the exam, accounting for 40% of your final score. This hands-on assessment challenges your team to tackle a real business case, testing your ability to apply PMO knowledge in dynamic, real-world situations. You will demonstrate teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills as you work together to deliver effective, professional solutions
Attendees are notified of their exam results by email.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
The AIPMO books are part of the course reference material (included only in the in-class package.) If you’re attending virtually, please order them on Amazon. Note: If a book appears as ‘out of stock’ or ‘currently unavailable’ on Amazon, it indicates that, based on your location, you might need to visit your country-specific Amazon in order to make a purchase.

Our Training Approach

The training approach includes

Lecture

Team Exercise

Group Discussion

Case Study

Personal Coaching

Exam

Modules

Module 0: Introduction & Welcome

Module 1: Understanding Organizational Strategy and Context

Module 2: PMO Oversight: Governance, Leadership, Alignment, and Improvement

Module 3: AIPMO Master Framework and Subsidiary Frameworks

Module 4: The PMO Lifecycle – From Demand to Operation

Module 5: PMO Services Lifecycle – Designing Value through Services

Module 6: PMO Operating Models and Topologies

Module 7: Factors That Influence PMO Effectiveness and Impact

Module 8: PMO Success: Measuring Maturity, Impact, and Preparing for AI Readiness

Module 9: Course Conclusions, Revision, and Certification Exam

Introductions
AIPMO overview
Course outline, guidelines, and training approach
Questions from PMO stakeholders

Recognize how organizational context shapes PMOs purposes and mandates.
Understand the need for structured frameworks to manage complexity.
Link strategic intent to PMO design, services, and success criteria.
Appreciate that coherent data and governance enable insight and value.
See how frameworks form the foundation for future AI enablement.
Strengthen awareness of leadership’s role in guiding structure and alignment.

Understand the core principles of PMO governance and why they are essential for effective oversight
Explore different leadership approaches that enable confidence, adaptability, and ethical decision-making
Learn how alignment maintains strategic fit between PMO services and organizational priorities
Recognize the role of continuous improvement in sustaining PMO performance and value delivery
Discuss how AI can influence and enhance governance, leadership, alignment, and improvement within PMOs

Definitions
Why Frameworks are useful
Misconceptions of frameworks
Frameworks in the Practitioner and Academic worlds
AIPMO’s challenge and using frameworks as a tool to solve complex problems
AIPMO’s 10 integrated frameworks as part of the PMO Management standard
Other frameworks

Introduction – Setting the Stage
PMO Lifecycle and its Phases
Capabilities and Capacity
Reflection and Takeaway

Introduction – Setting the Stage
Functions and Services – Why AIPMO Only Uses Services
The Service Lifecycle Framework
Service Domains and Capabilities
Service Design in Practice
AI Enablement
Takeaways and Reflections

Setting the Stage
Factors Influencing PMO Effectiveness and Impact
AIPMO Frameworks: Context Is Key
PMO Target Operating Model (TOM)
PMO Enterprise Topology Design
PMO Services Topology
PMO Structural Flaws
Solving Structural Flaws & Future-State PMO Operating Model

Introduction – Setting the Stage
Organizational and environmental context
Methodologies and standards (PMI, PRINCE2, IPMA, AIPMO, ISO)
Structural and cultural influences
PMO success factors vs. success criteria
Risk, adaptability, and resilience
AI Thread: AI Diagnostic Engine — mapping design and influence factors

Setting the Context — Why Measure PMO Success
Defining Success Across Contexts
Understanding PMO Success
Measuring Success Using KPIs
From KPIs to Maturity and Impact Models
Understanding and Applying PMO-MI® Scales
Interpreting Results and Benchmarking
Preparing for AI Readiness
Key Takeaways and Reflection

Course Conclusions and Revision
PMO Frameworks and Perspectives
Influencing Forces
Learnings from AI Day
Working in the AI-Enabled World
Connecting the Journey
Career and Certification Next Steps
Revision and Exam Overview
AIPMO Community Connections

Course Instructor

Dr. Robert Joslin

CEng, ACE, IPMO-E, PfMP, PgMP, PMP

Dr. Robert is a management consultant and instructor, and the founder of AIPMO. He is a professor at Alma Mater Europaea – ECM and the creator of the MSc and PhD programs in Strategy, Project Leadership, and PMO Management.

He has more than 35 years of experience in designing, initiating, and delivering international programs in large-scale organizational transformation, reengineering, infrastructure, and strategy development. He has designed and implemented hundreds of PMOs and, during this time, developed the PMO-specific methodology that formed the basis of AIPMO’s PMO Strategic Lifecycle Framework.

Dr. Robert has published books, book chapters, and research papers. He is a peer reviewer for three project management journals and is currently co-authoring AIPMO’s Body of Knowledge (BoK), which comprises several volumes.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Strategy, Program and Project Management,
Skema Business School

Bachelor of Engineering
Durham University

Contributions to leading practice

Project Management Methodologies
Governance and Success
PMO Principles and PMO Service Principles, 2ed
PMO Services and Capabilities, PMO, Portfolio, Program, and Project Competences
(forthcoming), Association of International Project Management books

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Testimonials

What Professionals Are Saying

It was immensely helpful to complete the IPMO-P and IPMO-E within three weeks while everything was still fresh in my mind. Massively beneficial. The case study was a standout element, bringing the concepts to life through practical application.

Robert Corbett

Global Director, PMO & Launch, DP World

The IPMO course was very useful and full of information. I am looking forward to implement this in my organization and will recommend it to my colleagues in the field.

Walid Taweli

Executive Manager, QooT

I will try to implement all the techniques and tools I have learned in the IPMO-P course. The case studies helped a lot in solving real life PMO challenges I had in my position.

Anthony Hallet

EPMO Consultanti, FocusHQ

An eye-opening IPMO-P course with excellent training by Robert. It helped me understand just how broad and impactful the PMO profession and its scope truly are.

Dr. David Hermida

Officer, AEW&C Mission Systems PMO, NATO

The CF course liberated my thinking on frameworks and their application in the business and research fields. It allowed me to contextualise business problems in different scenarios by trying options customised for the problem.

Wesley Bridgemohansingh

Project Management Consultant, Piaus and Associates Services Ltd

Thanks to the IPMO-P course, I now understand how to design, establish and evaluate the PMOs. Hopefully I will use all the knowledge gained in the PMO I am working currently. I am now better equipped to identify areas for improvement in my PMO.

Hussain Eid

Head of the Project Management Office, Wadi Jeddah

Get the official IPMO-P brochure

What You Get in the Brochure:

Full certification breakdown

Course dates, formats, & locations

Learning outcomes & benefits

Personalized course recommendations

Info about IPMO levels

Pricing & discount information

Frequently Asked Questions

You Ask, We Answer

What is the difference between Core, Specialist, and Master Class certifications?

Each of the certification categories serves a different purpose. The first category, “PMO Core Certifications,” shows that you have the competencies to design and build a service-orientated PMO with services that are needed by your project community. At the top-level (Expert) certification, you must show that you have the competencies to design and build one or more PMOs (called PMO topologies) within an integrated PMO Services topology. The second category of certifications is called the “Specialist” certifications because they directly relate to the ability to offer PMO services. If a PMO service is planned, then the PMO needs to have the capability to provide it. There are over 20 specialist courses at the time of writing. Project team members also need these courses. The third category of courses, called “Master Class” certifications, comprises three certifications that everyone needs, regardless of whether you are a PMO, project team member, or a PM/O director. These courses are the techniques and tools of a trade, so everyone, including project professionals, needs them.

What is the difference between IPMO-F, IPMO-P, and IPMO-E?

These three certifications are part of the PMO core certifications.

IPMO-F (Foundation) is for the PMO and project team members and covers topics related to working in a PMO and project team. It covers the lower part of the AIPMO Strategic Lifecycle framework.

IPMO-P (Practitioner) is for PMO managers, project managers, and senior PMO and project team members. It covers topics such as how to identify the need for a PMO and design it and how to justify and build a PMO and its services.

IPMO-E (Expert) is not for everyone. It is the top-level certification for PMO directors and consultants who manage, consult, or design enterprise PMO and PMO Service topologies.

I don't know which certification is right for me. How do I choose?

For now, it is best to ask one of our professionals. You can either call or chat online. They can provide you with expert advice on planning and advancing your career.

Are there any discounts if I take more than one course?

The short answer is yes. Bundles are shown on the website, but you can also call to ask if you can get a special discount. This will also be considered if you join the course as a group.

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